Combination backpack and cushion device

ABSTRACT

A combination backpack and seat cushion includes a cushion operatively connected to a pair of functional backpack sections. The cushion is sandwiched between the backpack sections at a first configuration and further separates the backpack sections into a more linear configuration at a second configuration. The backpack sections include compartments for carrying books or other articles. The invention may be carried as a traditional backpack at the first configuration. At the second configuration, the cushion may be placed on a chair seat and back rest while the connected backpack sections may be strapped out of the way below and behind the chair.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to carrying cases and, moreparticularly, to a backpack having an integrated seat cushion.

Many people find themselves in situations where they must sit for longperiods of time on uncomfortable seating. Common situations in thisregard include students studying for long periods of time in a libraryor spectators at sporting events. In both situations, the persontypically desires to carry several items with them, such as books, food,or the like, and also desires to be comfortable while sitting.

Various proposals for carrying portable seating, chairs, or cushions,have been made in the prior art. While assumably effective for theirintended purpose of providing portable seating, the existing deviceslack all of the utilitarian aspects of a backpack. More particularly,the existing devices are merely collapsible seats that would need to betransported in addition to a backpack or other case for books andsupplies. Further, the existing cushion devices do not meet the specificneeds of a student, including the ability to carry multiple books and toprovide a comfortable cushion device while studying in a library.

Therefore, it would be desirable to have a backpack that includes aportable seat cushion for providing comfortable seating and carryingbooks or supplies. Further, it would be desirable to have fullyfunctional seating comfort while maintaining a fully functionalbackpack.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A combination backpack and cushion device according to the presentinvention includes distinct first and second backpack sections that areattached together. In addition, a cushion member is connected to thefirst and second backpack sections and is movable between a firstconfiguration sandwiched between the first and second backpack sectionsand a second configuration in which the first and second backpacksections are further separated by the cushion in an elongateconfiguration.

In the second configuration, the cushion device includes an elongatecushion element having one or more cushions. Preferably, the cushiondevice includes an initial cushion and an end cushion, the cushionelement providing a cushion for placement on a chair seat and anothercushion for placement against a chair backrest.

The initial cushion is flexibly attached to the first backpack sectionand the end cushion is attached to the second backpack section. In use,therefore, the first backpack section may hang below a chair sear whenthe initial cushion is situated on the seat and the second backpacksection can be draped over a chair back when the end cushion is used asa back rest. While in use, the first and second backpack section may bereleasably strapped together behind or below the seat to keep the entiredevice in place.

Therefore, a general object of this invention is to provide acombination backpack and cushion device that enables a student to carrybooks and to have a comfortable cushion for sitting on an otherwiseuncomfortable chair surface. Another object of this invention is toprovide a combination backpack and cushion device, as aforesaid, thatincludes compartments for carrying books and supplies.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a combinationbackpack and cushion device, as aforesaid, in which the cushion deviceincludes one or more cushions.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a combinationbackpack and cushion device, as aforesaid, which is movable between oneconfiguration in which the cushion device is sandwiched between backpacksections and another configuration in which the backpack sections andcushion members are in an elongate and spread out arrangement.

Other object and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following description taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration andexample, an embodiment of this invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a combination backpack and cushiondevice according to the present invention in a first configuration;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the combination backpack and cushiondevice as in FIG. 1 in a second configuration;

FIG. 3 a is perspective view of the combination backpack and cushiondevice as in FIG. 2 positioned on a chair;

FIG. 3 b is a perspective view as in FIG. 3 a from another angle; FIG. 4is an isolated perspective view on an enlarged scale of the device as inFIG. 3 a;

FIG. 5 a is a perspective view of a combination backpack and cushiondevice according to another embodiment of the invention in anexpanded/first configuration;

FIG. 5 b is a perspective view of the device as in FIG. 5 a in acollapsed/second configuration; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a combination backpack and cushiondevice according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A combination backpack and cushion device according to the presentinvention will now be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1through 6 of the accompanying drawings. More particularly, a combinationbackpack and cushion device 100 according to the present inventionincludes distinct first and second backpack sections 110, 120 and anelongate cushion element 130.

The first and second backpack sections 110, 120 respectively include aninner surface 112 a, 122 a, an outer surface 112 b, 122 b, a top end 114a, 124 a, a bottom end 114 b, 124 b, and opposed sides 116 a, 116 b, 126a, 126 b. The first backpack section 110 defines a first storage area118, and the second backpack section 120 defines a second storage area128. Means 140 for releasably attaching the first and second backpacksections 110, 120 are preferably included, such as clips, hook and loopfasteners, snaps, a zipper, and other fastening mechanisms. Means 125for holding the second backpack section 120 is preferably also included,such as a carrying strap or a handle.

The elongate cushion element 130 includes one or more cushions 132arranged in an elongate row, and the cushion element 130 is flexiblyconnected to the first and second backpack sections 110, 120 formovement between a first configuration 130 a and a second configuration130 b. The cushion element 130 is sandwiched between the first andsecond backpack sections 110, 120 at the first configuration 130 a, andthe cushion element 130 further separates the first and second backpacksections 110, 120 at the second configuration 130 b. More particularly,the backpack sections 110, 120 and cushion element 130 may be spread outinto a more elongate and linear type of arrangement in the secondconfiguration so as to laid flat or draped over a chair (FIGS. 2. 3 a.and 3 b).

The cushion element 130 includes an initial cushion 134 and an endcushion 136, each having opposed first and second ends 134 a, 134 b, 136a, 136 b and opposed sides 134 c, 134 d, 136 c, 136 d. The initialcushion 134 is flexibly connected to the first backpack section 110, andthe end cushion 136 is flexibly connected to the second backpack section120. If there is only one cushion 132, that cushion 132 is both theinitial cushion 134 and the end cushion 136.

In a first embodiment, shown in FIG. 1 through FIG. 4, the device 100 isfor use with a chair 10 having a seat 12 and a back 14 (FIGS. 3 a and 3b). The initial cushion first end 134 a is flexibly connected to thefirst backpack section 110 adjacent the first backpack section top end114 a, and the end cushion second end 136 b is flexibly connected to thesecond backpack section 120 adjacent the second backpack section top end124 a. The cushion element 130 defines a seat area 138 a and a back area138 b. The seat area 138 a has a length sufficient to extend along thechair seat 12, and the back area 138 b has a length sufficient to extendalong the chair back 14, as shown in FIGS. 3 a and 3 b. The firstbackpack section sides 116 a, 116 b are releasably attached to thesecond backpack section sides 126 a, 126 b by the means 140 toselectively maintain the cushion element 130 in the first configuration130 a. The first backpack section bottom end 114 b is preferablyreleasably attached to the second backpack section bottom end 124 b byclips 142, though hook and loop fasteners, snaps, a zipper, and otherfastening mechanisms would also be suitable. In use, the cushion element130 is initially at the first configuration 130 a, and the firstbackpack section 110 is attached to the second backpack section 120 bythe attaching means 140 (FIG. 1). A user may insert and remove itemsfrom the first and second storage areas 118, 128. The first and secondbackpack sections 110, 120 may be separated by disconnecting theattaching means 140, and the cushion element 130 may be moved to thesecond configuration 130 b (FIG. 2). The first backpack section 110 maythen be positioned against a rear surface 14 b of the chair back 14, andthe cushion element back area 138 b may be positioned against an innersurface 14 a of the chair back 14. The cushion element seat area 138 amay be positioned against a top surface 12 a of the chair seat 12, andthe second backpack section 120 may be positioned against a bottomsurface 12 b of the chair seat 12. The clips 142 may then be fastened,connecting the bottom ends 114 b, 124 b of the first and second backpacksections 110, 120. This attachment prevents the second backpack section120 from reaching the ground, effectively securing the second backpacksection 120 to the chair seat bottom surface 12 b.

In another embodiment 200, shown in FIGS. 5 a and 5 b, the device 200includes a construction substantially similar to that described in thefirst embodiment 100 above, except as specifically noted below. Thedevice 200 includes a rigid lower frame 210 attached to the cushionelement 130 and the second backpack section 120, a rigid upper frame 220attached to the cushion element 130 and the first backpack section 110,and means 230 for adjusting the positions of the upper and lower frames220, 210 relative to one another to move the cushion element 130 betweenthe first and second configurations 130 a, 130 b. A plurality of legs240 may be attached to the lower frame 210 for movement between aretracted configuration 240 a (FIG. 5 b) and an extended configuration240 b (FIG. 5 a). The legs 240 are preferably pivotably attached asshown, and each leg 240 may have a telescoping configuration 242 so thatthe user may adjust the length of each leg 240. The means 230 ispreferably a hinge.

In use, the first and second backpack sections 110, 120 may be separatedby disconnecting the attaching means 140, and the cushion element 130may be moved to the second configuration 130 b (FIG. 2) by using theadjusting means 230. The legs 240 may be moved to the extendedconfiguration 240 b, and the length of each leg 240 may be set byadjusting each telescoping assembly 242.

In yet another embodiment 300, shown in FIG. 6, the device 300 includesa construction substantially similar to the construction as described inthe first embodiment 100 above, except as specifically noted below. Thedevice 300 is for use with a bench 16 having top and bottom surfaces 16a, 16 b. One of the initial cushion sides 134 c is flexibly connected tothe first backpack section 110, and the other initial cushion side 134 dis releasably connected to the first backpack section 110. One of theend cushion sides 136 c is flexibly connected to the second backpacksection 120, and the other end cushion side 136 d is releasablyconnected to the second backpack section 120.

In use, the initial cushion may rest upon the top bench surface 16 a,and the first backpack section 110 may be connected to the initialcushion side 134 d to secure the first backpack section 110 to thebottom bench surface 16 b. The end cushion 136 may rest upon the topbench surface 16 a, and the second backpack section 120 may be connectedto the end cushion side 136 d to secure the second backpack section 120to the bottom bench surface 16 b.

It is understood that while certain forms of this invention have beenillustrated and described, it is not limited thereto except insofar assuch limitations are included in the following claims and allowablefunctional equivalents thereof.

1. A combination backpack and cushion device, comprising: a distinctfirst backpack section releasably attached to a distinct second backpacksection; and a cushion operatively connected to said first and secondbackpack sections, respectively, for movement between a firstconfiguration in which said cushion is sandwiched between said first andsecond backpack sections and a second configuration in which said firstand second backpack sections are further separated by said cushion. 2.The device as in claim 1, wherein: said cushion presents opposed firstand second ends; said cushion first end is flexibly connected to saidfirst backpack section; and said cushion second end is flexiblyconnected to said second backpack section.
 3. The device as in claim 2,wherein: said first and second backpack sections respectively include aninner surface, an outer surface, a top end, and opposed sides; saidcushion first end is flexibly connected to said first backpack sectionadjacent said first backpack section top end; and said cushion secondend is flexibly connected to said second backpack section adjacent saidsecond backpack section top end.
 4. The device as in claim 3, whereinsaid first backpack section sides are releasably attached to said secondbackpack section sides.
 5. The device as in claim 1, wherein saidcushion is a plurality of cushions arranged in an elongate row.
 6. Thedevice as in claim 5 for use with a chair having a seat and a back,wherein: said elongate row of cushions defines a seat area and a backarea; said seat area has a length sufficient to extend along the chairseat; and said back area has a length sufficient to extend along thechair back.
 7. The device as in claim 5, wherein: said elongate row ofcushions includes an initial cushion and an end cushion, each havingopposed first and second ends and opposed sides; said initial cushion isflexibly connected to said first backpack section; and said end cushionis flexibly connected to said second backpack section.
 8. The device asin claim 7, wherein: said first and second backpack sectionsrespectively include an inner surface, an outer surface, a top end, abottom end, and opposed sides; said initial cushion first end isflexibly connected to said first backpack section adjacent said firstbackpack section top end; and said end cushion second end is flexiblyconnected to said second backpack section adjacent said second backpacksection top end.
 9. The device as in claim 8, wherein said firstbackpack section sides are releasably attached to said second backpacksection sides.
 10. The device as in claim 8 for use with a chair havinga seat and a back, wherein: said elongate row of cushions defines a seatarea and a back area; said seat area has a length sufficient to extendalong the chair seat; and said back area has a length sufficient toextend along the chair back.
 11. The device as in claim 10, wherein saidfirst backpack section bottom end is releasably attached to said secondbackpack section bottom end so that said first backpack section may bepositioned against a rear surface of the chair back, said back area ofsaid row of cushions may be positioned against an inner surface of thechair back, said seat area of said row of cushions may be positionedagainst a top surface of the chair seat, said second backpack sectionmay be positioned against a bottom surface of the chair seat, and saidattachment between said bottom ends of said first and second backpacksections may secure said second backpack section to the bottom surfaceof the chair seat.
 12. The device as in claim 7 for use with a benchhaving top and bottom surfaces, wherein: one said initial cushion sideis flexibly connected to said first backpack section and the other saidinitial cushion side is releasably connected to said first backpacksection to selectively secure said first backpack section to the bottombench surface when said initial cushion rests upon the top benchsurface; and one said end cushion side is flexibly connected to saidsecond backpack section and the other said end cushion side isreleasably connected to said second backpack section to selectivelysecure said second backpack section to the bottom bench surface whensaid end cushion rests upon the top bench surface.
 13. The device as inclaim 1, further comprising: a rigid lower frame attached to saidcushion; a rigid upper frame attached to said cushion; means foradjusting the positions of the upper and lower frames relative to oneanother to move said cushion between said first and secondconfigurations.
 14. The device as in claim 13, further comprising aplurality of legs attached to said lower frame for movement between aretracted configuration and an extended configuration.
 15. The device asin claim 1, wherein said first backpack section defines a first storagearea and said second backpack section defines a second storage area. 16.The device as in claim 1, further comprising means for holding saidsecond backpack section.
 17. A combination backpack and cushion device,comprising: a first backpack section defining a first storage area; asecond backpack section defining a second storage area; means forreleasably attaching said first and second backpack sections; and anelongate cushion row having at least one cushion, said cushion row beingflexibly connected to said first and second backpack sections,respectively, for movement between a first configuration in which saidcushion row is sandwiched between said first and second backpacksections and a second configuration in which said first and secondbackpack sections are further separated by said cushion row.
 18. Thedevice as in claim 17 for use with a chair having a seat and a back,wherein: said elongate cushion row defines a seat area and a back area;said seat area has a length sufficient to extend along the chair seat;said back area has a length sufficient to extend along the chair back;and a bottom end of said first backpack section is releasably attachableto a bottom end of said second backpack section so that said firstbackpack section may be positioned against a rear surface of the chairback, said back area of said cushion row may be positioned against aninner surface of the chair back, said seat area of said cushion row maybe positioned against a top surface of the chair seat, said secondbackpack section may be positioned against a bottom surface of the chairseat, and said attachment between said bottom ends of said first andsecond backpack sections may secure said second backpack section to thebottom surface of the chair seat.
 19. The device as in claim 17 for usewith a bench having top and bottom surfaces, wherein: said cushion rowincludes an initial cushion and an end cushion, each having opposedfirst and second ends and opposed sides; one said initial cushion sideis flexibly connected to said first backpack section and the other saidinitial cushion side is releasably connected to said first backpacksection to selectively secure said first backpack section to the bottombench surface when said initial cushion rests upon the top benchsurface; and one said end cushion side is flexibly connected to saidsecond backpack section and the other said end cushion side isreleasably connected to said second backpack section to selectivelysecure said second backpack section to the bottom bench surface whensaid end cushion rests upon the top bench surface.
 20. The device as inclaim 17, further comprising: a rigid lower frame attached to saidcushion row; a rigid upper frame attached to said cushion row; means foradjusting the positions of the upper and lower frames relative to oneanother to move said cushion row between said first and secondconfigurations; and a plurality of telescoping legs attached to saidlower frame for movement between a retracted configuration and anextended configuration.